Charley Boorman is an ambassador for the American Express® Platinum Card and a Cardmember. Here he shares his experiences and the one thing to do in Paris.
The French capital is a melting pot of cultural diversity and is jam-packed with things to do and see. It is little wonder then that 45 million people visit the City of Light every year. ‘Whenever I journey away from home, I am always looking for new and exciting adventures,’ says Charley. ‘I love seeing cities and places from a different perspective. On a recent trip to Paris, I discovered the one thing you just can’t miss if you are in town: a private tour of the city in a quintessentially French car, the Citroën 2CV. ‘First, we did the classics. My guide drove me straight up to the Arc de Triomphe, Paris’s monument to those who fought for France from the time of the Napoleonic Wars and which stands in the centre of the Place Charles de Gaulle. Although circling the hair-raising roundabout with the car’s top down is certainly not for the faint-hearted, for me it was a really fun way to see this famous monument.
‘Next we headed to the Eiffel Tower. Finished in 1889 for the World’s Fair, the 1,063ft iron structure is the tallest building in Paris. Considered something of an eyesore by Parisians of the day, the Eiffel Tower has since become one of the world’s most recognised and best-loved landmarks. Driving around the Eiffel Tower in the Citroën was something else. I could really see all the intricate details that ordinarily I would never have the opportunity to see.
‘The best thing about this private tour is that it offers a chance to see a side of Paris you might not otherwise see. My driver knew all the hidden gems and secret places tucked away down side streets that aren’t on the usual traveller’s itinerary.
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